moralesrules

Étoile is the best series I've watched, and I don't even like ballet (or didn't use to, at least). It lets you into the genius of an artist's mind, which often comes with pain and suffering. As Crispin (Simon Callie) told Cheyenne "art is not gentle, it is not kind", but able to create things no other realm can.

The amazing thing about the series, is its ability to immerse you into the passion, struggle, and delight of an artist's journey, with a quirky and enjoyable humor along the way. This is achieved not only by the originality of the characters, but the production itself, where the desire to convey art is in every detail. In the choreographies, the takes, and a very well achieved multilingual approach. In the physique of characters that makes them uniquely beautiful. In the enjoyment of watching ballet from the comfort of your home. You can feel the anxiety behind the production. The anxiety into letting you delve in art.

Same as Cheyenne (Lou de Laâge), we all want to believe "there's room in our hearts for something else", otherwise we'd be destroyed. Sadly, the amount of money required to create this masterpiece, made the series unsuitable for a Season 2, which ironically, I suspect the producers knew all along. Several queues are handed out to us throughout the series, in order to know this could be the outcome. Tobias (Gideon Glick), caused disappointment in his first night in Paris by following his instincts, before an audience wishing something more digestible and commercial. Genevieve (Geinsbourg) was willing to jeopardize her job more than once in the name of art.

In the end, most people want something easier, digestible, rather than immersing into the artistic abyss. That's what happened to this production, and why it's misunderstood. I really wished there was room for Season 2, but Étoile dies like a martyr, and I'm sure with time, it will be recognized as a top Cult Series.

Undoubtedly an original series, but with a lot of clichés surrounding America being the "land of the free", "home of the brave", and the rest of the world is intellectually disabled. Even though native foreign actors were hired (at least it looks that way) the series fails to depict immigrants as worthy characters. The characters are literally divided in: (a) American heroes able to kill five people at a time with one bullet, and (b) useless European people who die choking with their own saliva. The series failed in conveying an image of respect and realism of what probably was a common occurrence in the 19th century (immigrants populating the USA with the hopes of having a better life than their countries could offer, with a lot of courage and skills themselves). On the possitive side, they did a good job creating a believable female protagonist, and allowing us to see the world through the lenses of an intelligent, sensitive human. Had the producers / directors been better advised, this could have been a premium series, but I seriously doubt it will echo outside the USA because of the overtly hyped impression of America and the poor impression of everyone else.

In short, this film ticks all the boxes. Great script, acting, cinematography, music and entertainment, which feels both original and energetic. I saw this film expecting to find a "Friend with Benefits" vibe and expectations were low. However, I was pleasantly surprised by a fresh plot (involving a love triangle) which feels genuine thanks to the great acting, and the consistency of the story line. In her first ever "adult" (as opposed to teenage) role, Zendaya delivers a mature performance that provides the plot with structure. Josh O Connor provides the edge, energy and instability that keeps you hooked and invested. Although passive, Feist unexpectedly becomes the prize that both Zendaya and O Connor are fighting for without even knowing it. The vibrant soundtrack and electric scenes gently slide you through the film, making you want to get into the ride again once you acknowledge it's over.